Display-Based Video Analytics

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a video surveillance system and method for performing display-based video analytics on video streams provided by internet protocol (IP) cameras and/or a video management system (VMS) over an IP network. Display-based video analytics can perform video analytics on the video streams without a direct connection to the IP network. Because the display-based video analytics can perform video analytics on the video streams without being directly connected to the IP network, the display-based video analytics can be more readily implemented in video surveillance systems with secure IP networks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to video surveillance systems and,more particularly, to the implementation and use of video analytics invideo surveillance systems.

BACKGROUND

Video surveillance involves remotely watching public or private spacesusing video cameras. The demand for video surveillance continues to bestrong for safety and security purposes in many areas, such as airports,maritime areas, railways, streets, stores, banks, and parking lots. Tobe useful for safety and security purposes, real-time analysis ofsurveillance video is typically required. Human operators can be used tomonitor cameras in real-time and report events of significance. Butstudies have shown that humans are not well-suited to perform this taskdue to its repetitive nature and, in some cases, not suited at all dueto the large number of video cameras in use by some surveillancesystems.

To address this limitation of human operators, video analytics can beadded to a video surveillance system. In general, video analyticsinvolves analyzing video using algorithms that detect objects ofinterest (e.g., people or vehicles) and then recognize and/or track theobjects of interest. Video analytics can further be used to indicate thepresence of events of potential significance involving these objects.For example, a common goal of video analytics is to provide alerts tooperators corresponding to various types of events.

One associated challenge is how to introduce or implement a videoanalytics system in a video surveillance system. A typical videosurveillance system is comprised of multiple internet protocol (IP)cameras, a Video Management System (VMS), and a video receiving devicethat renders real-time and/or recorded video streams from one or more ofthe IP cameras or the VMS on a display. The IP cameras, the VMS, and thevideo receiving device interact over an IP network that is suitable forcarrying the video streams from the IP cameras and/or from the VMS tothe video receiving device. A video analytics system can be directlyconnected to the IP network such that IP packets carrying the videostreams from the IP cameras and/or the VMS can be routed to the videoanalytics system for processing.

However, this form of direct connection can be cumbersome and can posesecurity challenges, especially where the IP network is a secure IPnetwork. Typically, before a device can be attached to a secure IPnetwork, the device must be checked for compliance with a governingsecurity policy of the secure IP network and brought up to compliancewhere deviations are found. Also, if the device is connected to theInternet, either directly or indirectly, the device poses otherpotential risks to a secure IP network that must be assessed andaddressed. The following description addresses alternate means that cansimplify the integration of video analytics systems and videosurveillance systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary video surveillance system in whichembodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates a video surveillance system that implements videoanalytics.

FIG. 3 illustrates a video surveillance system that implements displaybased video analytics in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for performing videoanalytics on a video stream in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates local output options for a display based videoanalytics system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-local output option for a display based videoanalytics system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates another non-local output options for a display basedvideo analytics system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a video surveillance system that implementsmulti-channel display based video analytics in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates another video surveillance system that implementsmulti-channel display based video analytics in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example implementation of a display based videoanalytics system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system thatcan be used to implement aspects of the present disclosure

The present disclosure will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The drawing in which an element first appears istypically indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding, of the disclosure. However,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure,including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced withoutthese specific details. The description and representation herein arethe common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to mosteffectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in theart. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) thatvarious elements and features of the present disclosure, as describedherein, can be implemented in hardware using analog and/or digitalcircuits, in software, through the execution of instructions by one ormore general purpose or special-purpose processors, or as a combinationof hardware and software.

1. OVERVIEW

The present disclosure is directed to a video surveillance system andmethod for performing display-based video analytics on video streamsprovided by internet protocol (IP) cameras and/or a video managementsystem (VMS) over an IP network. Display-based video analytics canperform video analytics on the video streams without a direct connectionto the IP network. Because the display based video analytics can performvideo analytics on the video streams without being directly connected tothe P network, the display based video analytics can be more readilyimplemented in video surveillance systems with secure IP networks. Theseand other features of the present disclosure are described furtherbelow.

2. EXEMPLARY OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary video surveillance system 100 in which,embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The videosurveillance system 100 includes an internet protocol (IP) network 102,at least one IP camera 104, a video management system (VMS) 106, a videoreceiving device 108, and a display 110 coupled to the video receivingdevice 108 via a cable 112.

In operation, video surveillance system 100 can be used to remotelywatch a public or private space for safety and/or security purposes. Forexample, video surveillance system 100 can be used for safety and/orsecurity purposes in an airport, maritime area, railway, street, store,bank, or parking lot. IP camera 104 can capture video in one of theseenvironments and transmit a video stream based on the captured video toVMS 106 and/or video receiving device 108 over IP network 102.

IP network 102 is a communication network that allows data to betransferred between the one or more devices coupled to the network. Forexample, IP camera 104 can send a video stream of the video it capturesover IP network 102 to VMS 106. The video stream is encapsulated in aseries of IP packets that include a destination IP address uniquelyidentifying VMS 106 among the other devices coupled to IP network 102.In general, each device coupled to IP network 102 is typically assigneda unique IP address to allow IP packets to be routed to/from the device.It should be noted that, although the devices in FIG. 1 are shown asbeing directly coupled to IP network 102 using a single cable, in otherembodiments one or more of the devices in FIG. 1 can be coupled usingadditional cables, using wireless connections (e.g., via an IEEE 802.11network), and using one or more switches and/or routers.

VMS 106 can receive video streams from IP camera 104 over IP network102, store the video streams in one or more memory storage units (notshown), and manage distribution of the video streams stored in the oneor more memory storage units to one or more viewers or video receivingdevices, such as video receiving device 108.

In one embodiment, VMS 106 and video receiving device 108 form onedevice as opposed to two separate devices as shown in FIG. 1. In anotherembodiment, video receiving device 108 is a separate device from VMS 106and either receives a video stream of video captured by IP camera 104from VMS 106 or receives the video stream directly from IP camera 104.Video receiving device can be, for example, a personal computer (PC)with one or more processors executing software stored in a memory thatallows an operator of video receiving device 108 to interact with IPcamera 104 and/or VMS 106 to receive video streams.

Video receiving device 108 is configured to process a video stream ofvideo captured by IP camera 104 to provide the video stream in a formatfor display. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, video receiving device 108can provide the formatted video stream to display 110 via cable 112.Cable 112 can be, for example, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) display cable, a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) display cable, ora Video Graphics Array (VGA) display cable. An operator of videosurveillance system 100 can view the rendered video stream on display110. Video receiving device 108 specifically receives the video streamin IP packets over IP network 102 and reformats the received videostream for display by display 110. The reformatted video stream can bein a format suitable for transfer over interfaces such as HDMI, DVI, andVGA.

In the embodiment where multiple IP cameras 104 are used by videosurveillance system 100, video receiving device 108 can format the videostreams from two or more of the multiple IP cameras 104 for display in atiled format by display 110. For example, video receiving device 108 cansimultaneously display each video stream in a separate video tile 114 ondisplay 110.

As mentioned above, in order for video surveillance system 100 to beuseful for many safety and security purposes, real-time analysis of thesurveillance video captured by IP camera 104 is typically required.Human operators can be used to monitor video cameras in real-time andreport events of significance. But studies have shown that humans arenot well-suited to perform this task due to its repetitive nature and,in some cases, are not suited at all due to the large number of videocameras in use by some surveillance systems.

To solve this problem with human operators, video analytics can be addedto video surveillance system 100. In general, video analytics involvesanalyzing video using algorithms that detect objects of interest (e.g.,people or vehicles) and then recognize and/or track the objects ofinterest. Video analytics can further be used to indicate the presenceof events of potential significance (e.g., suspicious behavior oremergency situations) involving these objects. For example, a commongoal of video analytics is to provide alerts to operators of theseevents.

One issue with video analytics is how to introduce or implement a videoanalytics system in a video surveillance system, such as videosurveillance system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, a video analytics system202 can be directly connected to IP network 102 such that IP packetscarrying a video stream from IP camera 104 or VMS 106 can be routed tovideo analytics system 202 for processing. However, this form of directconnection can be cumbersome and/or can pose challenging securityimplications where IP network 102 is a secure IP network.

3. DISPLAY BASED VIDEO ANALYTICS

FIG. 3 illustrates a video surveillance system 300 that implementsdisplay based video analytics in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Video surveillance system 300 has a similarconfiguration and mode of operation as video surveillance system 100described above in regard to FIG. 1 with the exception that videosurveillance system 300 further includes a display based video analyticssystem 302.

Display based video analytics system 302 can be used to perform videoanalytics on a video stream received by video receiving device 108 fromIP camera 104 and/or VMS 106 without a direct connection to IP network102. As described above, video receiving device 108 processes the videostream of video captured by IP camera 104 to provide the video stream ina format for display 110. For example, video receiving device 108 canprovide the formatted video stream to display 110 via cable 112. Cable112 can be a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) display cable,a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) display cable, or a Video GraphicsArray (VGA) display cable to name a few examples. Display based videoanalytics system 302 subsequently receives the video stream in theformat for display 110 via cable 112 from video receiving device 108.After receiving the video stream in the format for display 110, displaybased video analytics system 302 can perform video analytics on, thevideo stream. It should be rioted that the video stream can be splitfrom cable 112, such that display 110 can continue to display the videostream while display based video analytics system 302 receives andprocesses the video stream.

Because display based video analytics system 302 performs videoanalytics on the video stream without being directly connected to IPnetwork 102 as shown in FIG. 3, display based video analytics 302 can bemore readily implemented in video surveillance system 300, especially inembodiments where IP network 102 is a secure IP network. For example,because display based video analytics system 302 is decoupled from IPnetwork 102 of video surveillance system 300, display based videoanalytics system 302 cannot directly receive or transmit IP packets overIP network 102, which typically prevents display based video analyticssystem 302 from interfering with the operation and security of IPnetwork 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart 400 of an example method for performingvideo analytics on a video stream in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, flowchart 400 is implemented bydisplay based video analytics system 302.

The method of flowchart 400 begins at optional step 402, where the videostream to be processed is filtered to determine frames of the videostream that are to be further analyzed. For example, the video streamcan be filtered in this optional step 402 to determine frames in thevideo stream where a change in the environment (e.g., an object moving)captured by the video of the video stream is determined to haveoccurred. A change in the environment captured by the video of the videostream can be determined based on a change in color frequencydistribution between temporally adjacent or temporally close videoframes (e.g., video frames captured within 1 second of each other). Thevideo frames that capture such changes in the environment can be passedforward for further analysis, while other frames can be filtered outfrom the additional analysis carried out in the remaining steps offlowchart 400 to reduce processing, demands.

After optional step 402, the method of flowchart 400 proceeds to step404. At step 404, video frames of the video stream are analyzed todetect an object. For example, moving objects in the video captured bythe video stream can be detected using one or more known methods fordetecting moving objects in video.

After step 404, the method of flowchart 400 proceeds to step 406. Atstep 406, features of the detected object in step 404 can be extractedfor recognition and/or classification using one or more known methods.For example, if the detected object is a license plate, the numbers ofthe license plate can be extracted and recognized. In addition or as analternative to extracting features of the detected object in step 404,the detected object can be tracked in the video stream at step 406 usingone or more known methods. Tracking the detected object can includetracking the position and speed of the object.

After step 406, the method of flowchart 400 proceeds to optional step408. At step 408, the video stream is analyzed to detect the occurrenceof an event in the video stream that is associated with the detectedobject. For example, the event can be suspicious behavior associatedwith the detected object, such as the detected object being left behindin the environment under surveillance. Events can be detected using, forexample, well known rule-based or learning-based event detectiontechniques.

After step 408, the method of flowchart 400 proceeds to optional step410. At step 410, an alert is issued to the operator of the videosurveillance system of the occurrence of the event recognized at step408. The alert can be in the form of text (e.g., embedded in the videoof the video stream) describing the event, a visual cue embedded in thevideo of the video stream that indicates or highlights the event to thevideo surveillance operator, and/or metadata linked to the video streamto provide a few examples.

Referring now to FIG. 5, local output options for display based videoanalytics system 302 are shown for video surveillance system 300 inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

In a first embodiment, display based video analytics system 302 canoutput the original video stream on which it performed video analytics,together with the results of the video analytics, to a display 500. Thevideo analytics results can be in the form of text (e.g., embedded inthe video of the video stream) or a visual cue embedded in the video ofthe video stream that indicates or highlights an event recognized by thevideo analytics. The original video stream and video analytics resultscan be output to display 500 via a cable 502. Cable 502 can be, forexample, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) display cable, aDigital Visual Interface (DVI) display cable, or a Video Graphics Array(VGA) display cable.

In the embodiment where multiple IP cameras 104 are used by videosurveillance system 300, display based video analytics system 302 canformat the analyzed video streams from two or more of the multiple IPcameras 104 for display in a tiled format by display 500 withcorresponding video analytics results for each video stream. Forexample, display based video analytics system 302 can simultaneouslydisplay each video stream with its corresponding video analytics resultsin a separate video tile 504.

In a second embodiment, display based video analytics system 302 canoutput the original video stream on which it performed video analytics,together with the results of the video analytics, to a dense memorystorage 506. Dense memory storage 506 can include, for example, one ormore hard disk drives for storing the video data.

In a third embodiment, display based video analytics system 302 canoutput the original video stream on which it performed video analytics,together with the results of the video analytics, as a standard IPcamera in a virtual. IP camera stream 510. The virtual IP camera stream510 can be received by another video receiving device 508, such as aVMS. In another embodiment, display based video analytics system 302 canfurther output, together with virtual IP camera stream 510, virtual IPcamera metadata 512. Virtual IP camera metadata can include informationsuch as vehicle types, license plate numbers, and identifyinginformation of other objects detected or recognized by display basedvideo analytics system 302. It should be noted that, in otherembodiments, video receiving device 508 can be non-local to displaybased video analytics system 302.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-local output option for display based videoanalytics system 302 in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, display based video analytics system 302can output the original video stream on which it performed videoanalytics, together with results of the video analytics, to a videosharing gateway 602. Video sharing gateway 602 can convert the output ofdisplay based video analytics system 302 into a format suitable fortransportation over external network 606 so that the output can beshared with a video sharing gateway client 604 (e.g., a PC, laptop,tablet, mobile phone, etc.). External network 606 can be, for example, awide area network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, video sharinggateway 602 can be implemented in a similar manner and in similarsettings as the Radio Network Interface Controller (RNIC) 20 describedin commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,320,874, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

In an embodiment, video sharing gateway client 604 includes a display(not shown) for displaying the video stream and analytics results itreceives from video sharing gateway 602 over the external network 606.The video analytics results can be in the form of text (e.g., embeddedin the video of the video stream) or a visual cue embedded in the videoof the video stream that indicates or highlights an event recognized bythe video analytics.

FIG. 7 illustrates another non-local output option for display basedvideo analytics system 302 in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In particular, display based video analytics system 302 canencode the original video stream on which it performed video analytics,together with results of the video analytics, for transportation overexternal network 702. The encoding process can be used to compress thevideo stream and analytics results to provide for more efficient and/orfaster transportation over external network 702. Display based videoanalytics system 302 can also encrypt the original video stream on whichit performed video analytics, together with results of the videoanalytics, before sending the video stream and analytics results overexternal network 702. External network 702 can be, for example, a widearea network such as the Internet.

On the other end of external network 702, a decoder 704 can receive theencoded video stream and analytics results from display based videoanalytics system 302. Decoder 704 can decode and, where necessary,decrypt the video stream and analytics results. The video analyticsresults can be in the form of text (e.g., embedded in the video of thevideo stream) or a visual cue embedded in the video of the video streamthat indicates or highlights an event recognized by the video analytics.Decoder 704 can output the original video stream and video analyticsresults to a display 706 via a cable 708. Cable 708 can be aHigh-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) display cable, a DigitalVisual Interface (DVI) display cable, or a Video Graphics Array (VGA)display cable.

In the embodiment where multiple IP cameras 104 are used by videosurveillance system 300, decoder 704 can format the analyzed videostreams from two or more of the multiple IP cameras 104 for display in atiled format by display 706 with corresponding video analytics resultsfor each video stream. For example, decoder 704 can simultaneouslydisplay each video stream with its corresponding video analytics resultsin a separate video tile 710 of display 706.

4. MULTI-CHANNEL DISPLAY BASED VIDEO ANALYTICS

Referring now to FIG. 8, a video surveillance system 800 that implementsdisplay based video analytics in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure is illustrated. Video surveillance system 800 has asimilar configuration and mode of operation as video surveillance system300 described above in regard to FIG. 3 with the exception that videosurveillance system 800 at least includes multiple video receivingdevices 108(1)-108(n) and a multi-channel display based video analyticssystem 802.

Each of the multiple video receiving devices 108(1)-108(n) areconfigured to process a respective video stream of captured video fromat least one of IP cameras 104. As further shown in FIG. 8, each videoreceiving device 108(1)-108(n) is configured to process its respectivevideo stream to provide the video stream in a format for display on oneor more of optional displays 110(1)-110(n). For example, as shown inFIG. 8, video receiving device 108(1) can provide its formatted videostream to optional display 110(1) via cable 112(1). Cables 112(1)-112(n)can be High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) display cables,Digital Visual Interface (DVI) display cables, or Video Graphics Array(VGA) display cables.

Multi-channel display based video analytics system 802 receives thevideo streams in respective formats for displays 110(1)-110(n) viacables 112(1)-112(n). After receiving the video streams in therespective formats for displays 110(1)-110(n), multi-channel displaybased video analytics system 802 can perform video analytics on thevideo streams. For example, multi-channel display based video analyticssystem 802 can perform video analytics on each of the video streams inaccordance with the method described above in regard to FIG. 4.

In an embodiment, multi-channel display based video analytics system 802includes a processor (e.g., a special purpose or general purposeprocessor) configured to perform the video analytics on two or more ofthe video streams received via cables 112(1)-112(n). The processor ofmulti-channel display based video analytics system 802 can perform thevideo analytics on the two or more video streams by cycling between thevideo streams in time. For example, the processor of multi-channel videoanalytics system 802 can perform the video analytics on a first one ofthe two or more video streams for a first duration of time and thenswitch to processing a second one of the two or more video streams for asecond duration of time. After processing the second one of the two ormore video streams for the second duration of time, the processor ofmulti-channel video analytics system 802 can indefinitely repeat theprocess by again processing the first video stream for the firstduration of time and then switching to processing the second videostream for the second duration of time.

The rate at which the processor of multi-channel video analytics system802 continues to switch between video streams can be sufficiently fastso that information pertinent to the video analytics is not impacted.For example, the rate can be set such that the processor ofmulti-channel video analytics system 802 cycles through each relevantvideo stream received via cables 112(1)-112(n) around once per second(e.g., from 0.5 seconds to 2 seconds). It should be noted that, in someembodiments, each cable 112(1)-112(n) can carry one or more videostreams upon which video analytics is to be performed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a video surveillance system 900 that implementsdisplay based video analytics in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Video surveillance system 900 has a similarconfiguration and mode of operation as video surveillance system 800described above in regard to FIG. 8 with the exception that videoreceiving devices 108(1)-108(n) are each part of a separate videosurveillance system with its own IP network 102(1)-102(n).

In an embodiment, multi-channel video analytics system 802 can detect asingle object across two or more of the different video streams itreceives via cables 112(1)-112(n). After detecting the object,multi-channel video analytics system 802 can track the object and/orextract features of the object from both of the video streams.Multi-channel video analytics system 802 can further recognize anoccurrence of event in one or more of the video streams associated withthe detected object and alert an operator of the video surveillancesystem to the event as described above.

5. DISPLAY BASED VIDEO ANALYTICS APPARATUS

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example implementation 1000 of displaybased video analytics system 302 is illustrated in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, exampleimplementation 1000 includes a line interface converter 1002 and a videoanalytics processor 1004.

Line interface converter 1002 can convert the input video stream from afirst line interface format to a second line interface format suitablefor reception by video analytics processor 1004. For example, lineinterface converter can receive the input video stream in an HDMI, DVI,or VGA line interface format and convert the video stream from thisinput line format to the line interface format used by video analyticsprocessor 1004 (e.g., a universal serial bus (US$) line interfaceformat).

Video analytics processor 1004 can perform video analytics on the videostream received from line interface converter 1002 as described aboveand provide, as output, an output video stream together with the resultsof the analytics processing. Several different output formats arepossible as described above in regard in to FIGS. 5-7 above. Videoanalytics processor 1004 can include one or more general and/or specialpurposes processors for performing the video analytics on the inputvideo stream. The one or more processors of video analytics processor1004 can be implemented as one or more application specific chips(ASICs) and/or in one or more programmable logic devices, such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs).

It should be noted that example implementation 1000 can further be usedto implement multi-channel display based video analytics system 802 inFIGS. 8 and 9 with the addition of further inputs/outputs to accommodatethe multiple-channels to be processed.

6. EXAMPLE COMPUTER SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) thatvarious elements and features of the present disclosure, as describedherein, can be implemented in hardware using analog and/or digitalcircuits, in software, through the execution of instructions by one ormore general purpose or special-purpose processors, or as a combinationof hardware and software.

The following description of a general purpose computer system isprovided for the sake of completeness. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure can be implemented in hardware, or as a combination ofsoftware and hardware. Consequently, embodiments of the disclosure maybe implemented in the environment of a computer system or otherprocessing system. An example of such a computer system 1100 is shown inFIG. 11. Blocks depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-10 may execute on one ormore computer systems 1100. Furthermore, each of the steps of the methoddepicted in FIG. 4 can be implemented on one or more computer systems1100.

Computer system 1100 includes one or more processors, such as processor1104. Processor 1104 can be a special purpose or a general purposedigital signal processor. Processor 1104 is connected to a communicationinfrastructure 1102 (for example, a bus or network). Various softwareimplementations are described in terms of this exemplary computersystem. After reading this description, it will become apparent to aperson skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosureusing other computer systems and/or computer architectures.

Computer system 1100 also includes a main memory 1106, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 508.Secondary memory 1108 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1110and/or a removable storage drive 1112, representing a floppy disk drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, or the like. Removablestorage drive 1112 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit1116 in a well-known manner. Removable storage unit 1116 represents afloppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, or the like, which is read byand written to by removable storage drive 1112. As will be appreciatedby persons skilled in the relevant art(s), removable storage unit 1116includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computersoftware and/or data.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory 1108 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 1100. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 1118 and an interface 1114. Examples of suchmeans may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such asthat found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as anEPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, a thumb drive and USB port, andother removable storage units 1118 and interfaces 1114 which allowsoftware and data to be transferred from removable storage unit 1118 tocomputer system 1100.

Computer system 1100 may also include a communications interface 1120.Communications interface 1120 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 1100 and external devices. Examples ofcommunications interface 1120 may include a modem, a network interface(such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot andcard, etc. Software and data transferred via communications interface1120 are in the form of signals which may be electronic,electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received bycommunications interface 1120. These signals are provided tocommunications interface 1120 via a communications path 1122.Communications path 1122 carries signals and may be implemented usingwire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RFlink and other communications channels.

As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerreadable medium” are used to generally refer to tangible storage mediasuch as removable storage units 1116 and 1118 or a hard disk installedin hard disk drive 1110. These computer program products are means forproviding software to computer system 1100.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 1106 and/or secondary memory 1108. Computer programs mayalso be received via communications interface 1120. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable the computer system 1100 to implementthe present disclosure as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, enable processor 1104 to implement theprocesses of the present disclosure, such as any of the methodsdescribed herein. Accordingly, such computer programs representcontrollers of the computer system 1100. Where the disclosure isimplemented using software, the software may be stored in a computerprogram product and loaded into computer system 1100 using removablestorage drive 1112, interface 1114, or communications interface 1120.

In another embodiment, features of the disclosure are implementedprimarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such asapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and gate arrays.Implementation of a hardware state machine so as to perform thefunctions described herein will also be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s).

7. CONCLUSION

Embodiments have been described above with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: an internet protocol (IP)camera configured to capture video and transmit a video stream based onthe captured video over an IP network; a video receiving deviceconfigured to receive the video stream over the IP network and providethe video stream in a format for a display via a display cable; and adisplay-based video analytics system configured to receive the videostream in the format for the display via the display cable and performvideo analytics on the video stream in the formal for the display,wherein the display-based video analytics system is decoupled from theIP network such that the display-based video analytics system cannotdirectly receive or transmit IP packets over the IP network.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the display cable is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, a Digital Visual Interface (DVI)cable, or a Video Graphics Array (VGA) cable.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the display-based video analytics system is configured to outputthe video stream with results of the video analytics to a display or avideo sharing gateway.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thedisplay-based video analytics system is configured to output the videostream in a virtual IP camera stream, wherein results of the videoanalytics are applied to the video stream in the virtual IP camerastream or are provided as metadata together with the virtual IP camerastream.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display-based videoanalytics system is further configured to encode and encrypt the videostream with results of the video analytics applied to the video streamfor transmission over an external network.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a video management system (VMS) configured toreceive the video stream over the IP network from the IP camera, storethe video stream received over the IP network from the IP camera, anddistribute the video stream received over the IP network from the IPcamera.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the video receiving device isfurther configured to receive the video stream over the IP network fromthe VMS.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the video analytics comprisesdetecting an object in the video stream in the format for the displayand tracking the object in the video stream in the format for thedisplay.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the video analytics comprisesdetecting an object in the video stream in the format for the displayand extracting one or more features of the object from the video streamin the format for the display to classify the object or to recognize theone or more features of the object.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe video analytics comprises detecting an object in the video stream inthe format for the display and recognizing an occurrence of an event,associated with the object, in the video stream in the format for thedisplay.
 11. A system comprising: a first internet protocol (IP) cameraconfigured to transmit a first video stream over a first IP network; afirst video receiving device configured to receive the first videostream over the first IP network and provide the first video stream in aformat for a first display via a first display cable; a second IP cameraconfigured to transmit a second video stream over a second IP network; asecond video receiving device configured to receive the second videostream over the second IP network and provide the second video stream ina format for a second display via a second display cable; and adisplay-based video analytics system configured to receive both thefirst video stream in the format for the first display and the secondvideo stream in the format for the second display, and perform videoanalytics on both the first video stream in the format for the firstdisplay and the second video stream in the format for the second videodisplay.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first display cable isa High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, a Digital VisualInterface (DVI) cable, or a Video Graphics Array (VGA) cable.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the first IP network and the second IPnetwork are different IP networks.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe video analytics comprises detecting and tracking an object acrossthe first video stream in the format for the first display and thesecond video stream in the format for the second display.
 15. The systemof claim 13, wherein the video analytics comprises detecting an objectin the first video stream in the format for the first display and in thesecond video stream in the format for the second display and extractingfeatures of the object from both the first video stream in the formatfor the first display and from the second video stream in the format forthe second display.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein thedisplay-based video analytics system is configured to perform the videoanalytics on both the first video stream in the format for the firstdisplay and the second video stream in the format for the second videodisplay by cycling between the first video stream in the format for thefirst display and the second video stream in the format for the secondvideo display in time.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein thedisplay-based video analytics system is decoupled from the first IPnetwork such that the display-based video analytics system cannotdirectly receive or transmit IP packets over the first IP network.
 18. Amethod comprising: receiving a video stream from an internet protocol(IP) camera over an IP network; formatting the video stream receivedfrom the IP camera over the IP network into a format ready for displayby a display device; providing the video stream in the format ready fordisplay by the display device as output via a display cable; andperforming video analytics on the video stream received via the displaycable in the format ready for display by the display device.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the display cable is a High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, a Digital Visual Interface (DVI)cable, or a Video Graphics Array (VGA) cable.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein performing the video analytics comprises: performing thevideo analytics on the video stream received via the display cable inthe format ready for display by the display device using a processorthat is decoupled from the IP network such that the processor cannotdirectly receive or transmit IP packets over the IP network.